Middle Georgia voters head to the polls as Election Day brings increased turnout and federal monitoring

Bibb County is among six Georgia counties included in the federal monitoring effort, alongside Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett and Chatham counties.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Voters across Middle Georgia are heading to the polls Tuesday, November 3, as Georgians and Americans cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections.

In Macon-Bibb County, Elections Supervisor Thomas Gillon says approximately 32,000 people participated in early voting across the county’s three locations. That represents an increase of about 10% compared to early voting during the 2022 election.

Gillon says the turnout is encouraging as election officials work through Election Day.

For voters like Veronica Spann, the economy is among the biggest factors influencing her decision at the ballot box.

“It’s time for change, gas prices are high. There’s a lot of things going on in the economy right now,” Spann said.

The election is also bringing additional federal oversight to polling locations across the country.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced it is deploying approximately 1,000 election monitors and observers across all 50 states. According to the department, this marks the first time it has conducted an election monitoring effort in every state.

The DOJ says monitors will review compliance with federal voting rights laws, including the Voting Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The effort also includes protections against voter intimidation and suppression.

Gillon says he has spoken with the individuals expected to be involved in monitoring polling locations in Macon-Bibb County.

He says their responsibilities include checking accessibility requirements, making sure election personnel are prepared and ensuring provisional ballots are available for voters who need them.

The DOJ says voters with questions or complaints involving federal voting rights laws can contact its election issues hotline at 1-800-253-3931, email VEM@usdoj.gov or submit a complaint through its Civil Rights Division website.

The department also advises voters to report polling place disruptions to local election officials. Any violence, threats or intimidation should be reported immediately to local law enforcement by calling 911.